Self-Healing Solar Panels

Solar panels with self-repairing multi-junction cells that can optimize their self-repair process and improve overall performance. The panels have two stacks of cells, one for power generation and one for self-repair during daylight. The power stack faces the sun, and the repair stack faces shade. This allows continuous power generation while repairing the degrading cells. The panels can be turned over if repair threshold exceeded. The repair stack connects to a regeneration module when shaded. Monitoring and control systems optimize repair and turning.

Source

Self-repairing multi-junction photovoltaic cell device and method for optimizing self-repair of perovskite-based cells. The device features a dual-stack architecture where one stack operates as a power generator while the other undergoes self-repair during the day. A control system monitors degradation and selectively positions the stacks to optimize regeneration. The method includes algorithms for controlling the system to maximize self-repair and restore optimal cell performance.

Source

A photovoltaic system with self-repairing perovskite cells that optimizes degradation reversal through controlled regeneration. The system comprises a multi-junction solar panel with separate perovskite and silicon stacks, where the perovskite stack undergoes regeneration while the silicon stack generates power. A control system monitors degradation and selectively disconnects the perovskite stack from the power circuit when degradation exceeds a threshold, allowing regeneration to occur while the silicon stack continues to generate power. The regeneration process involves controlled voltage pulses and short-circuiting to restore ion distribution and optimal cell performance.

Source

Self-healing organic-inorganic material comprising a polymeric substrate coated with a thin layer of metal oxide, wherein the coating layer is in direct contact with the substrate surface and contains a halogen-containing compound of the metal element. The material is prepared by exposing the substrate to a precursor comprising a metal element and a halogen-containing compound, followed by a co-reactant that reacts with the precursor to form the metal oxide coating layer. The material exhibits enhanced stability, mechanical properties, and durability, and is capable of self-healing through chemical repair of micro-damage.

Source

Photoelectric conversion element with enhanced long-term stability in high-light conditions. The element comprises a photoelectric conversion layer, an electron-transporting layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, a hole-transporting layer, and a second electrode. The electron-transporting layer contains an electron-transporting material with a nitrogen atom, while the photoelectric conversion layer incorporates a compound with nitrogen atoms. The compound is specifically designed to maintain photoelectric conversion efficiency even under prolonged exposure to high light intensities. The element is integrated into solar cells and photodiodes, enabling power generation in environments with high light intensities.

Source

A photovoltaic system that extends the life of end-of-life silicon solar panels by integrating a perovskite-based film stack that restores their light conversion efficiency. The system comprises a thin-film photovoltaic stack with perovskite semiconductor layers, an inverter, and electrical connectors that connect the stack to the existing panel. The system can be installed in situ, eliminating the need to remove the panel from the roof, and can be combined with a glass perovskite photovoltaic system that enhances the performance of near-end-of-life silicon modules.

Source

Inspired by nature, intelligent selfhealing materials have recently been exploited also in the field of photovoltaics to mimic natural systems achieving selfrepairing. The past decade has witnessed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) skyrocketing to a certified power conversion efficiency of 26.1%. However, their intrinsic instability, when exposing to moisture, high temperature, and continuous illumination, hampers their commercial development for a longterm use in ambient operating conditions. Therefore, the use of smart selfhealing materials, based on selfassembling properties and dynamic interactions, empowers PSCs with selfrecovery abilities to reinforce their pivotal role as efficient photovoltaic devices and encourage their exploitation in the market. Herein, the current progress in selfhealing perovskite materials with a special focus on selfrecovery after moisture exposure or mechanical damage with the aim to provide a valuable insight for research on this topic to accelerate the PSC commercialization process is highlighted.

Source

Abstract This review addresses the selfhealing effects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), emphasizing the significance of chemical and physical bonding as core mechanisms. Polymeric additives play a vital role in inducing selfhealing phenomena along with the intrinsic properties of perovskite materials, both of which are discussed herein. As a relatively underexplored area, the selfhealing effect induced by polymeric additives in PSCs is reviewed from a chemical perspective. The chemical bonds involved in selfhealing include isocyanate, disulfide, and carboxylic acid groups. The physical bonds related to selfhealing effects are primarily hydrogen bonding and chelation. Selfhealing in flexible perovskite devices extends their lifespan and improves their mechanical robustness against environmental and mechanical stressors. This discussion delves into the initiation methods for selfhealing, the conditions required, and the recoveryrate profiles. This review not only catalogs various approaches to selfhealing, but also considers the fundamental limitations and potential of this p... Read More

Source

Abstract Over the past 10 years, perovskite solar cell (PSC) device technologies have advanced remarkably and exhibited a notable increase in efficiency. Additionally, significant innovation approaches have improved the stability related to heat, light, and moisture of PSC devices. Despite these developments in PSCs, the instability of PSCs is a pressing problem and an urgent matter to overcome for practical application. Recently, polymers have been suggested suggestion has been presented to solve the instability issues of PSCs and increase the photovoltaic parameters of devices. Here, first, the fundamental chemical bond types of selfhealing polymers are presented. Then, a comprehensive presentation of the ability of selfhealing polymers in rigid and flexible PSCs to enhance the various physical, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties is presented. Furthermore, valuable insights and innovative solutions for perovskitebased optoelectronics with selfhealing polymers are provided, offering guidance for future optoelectronic applications. image

Source

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising as the next-generation photovoltaic technology. However, the inferior stability under various temperatures remains a significant obstacle to commercialization. Here, we implement a heat-triggered dynamic self-healing framework (HDSF) to repair defects at grain boundaries caused by thermal variability, enhancing PSCs' temperature stability. HDSF, distributed at the grain boundaries and surface of the perovskite film, stabilizes the perovskite lattice and releases the perovskite crystal stress through the dynamic exchange reaction and shape memory effect of sulfide bonds. The resultant PSCs achieved a power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.32% (certified 25.84%) with elevated temperature stability, retaining 94.2% of the initial PCE after 500 h at 85. In a variable temperature cycling test (between 40 and 80), the HDSF-treated device retained 87.6% of its initial PCE at 40 and 92.6% at 80 after 160 thermal cycles. This heat-triggered dynamic self-healing strategy could significantly enhance t... Read More

Source

Abstract Selfhealing transparent polymers are advantageous for various optoelectronic devices to improve resilience and durability. However, most of these materials have been applied only as flat films and do not address the need for optical structures that can manipulate light. Here optical microstructures embossed on a selfhealing polyurea film are presented which can autonomously recover from damage in ambient conditions. The polyurea film have a high optical transmittance above 90% and haze below 1.3%, and Young's modulus of 3.4 MPa. When applied as a protective lighttrapping layer for perovskite solar cells, the champion device shows improved short circuit current density from 23.7 to 25.0 mAcm 2 , and power conversion efficiency from 21.5% to 23.0%. Furthermore, the solar cell with the lighttrapping layer has improved impact resistance and can recover its performance after being scratched. It is envisioned that selfhealing optical structures can be realized for different geometries and materials in a range of optoelectronic applications to produce resilient and durable d... Read More

Source

A photoelectric conversion module that enables efficient power generation in both low- and high-illuminance environments. The module comprises a series of photoelectric conversion elements, each consisting of a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode. The elements are electrically coupled through a coupling portion, with a specific partition structure and electrode design that prevents reverse current degradation in high-illuminance conditions. The module can be integrated into wearable devices, sensors, and other IoT applications, providing a self-sustaining power supply that eliminates the need for external power sources or battery replacements.

Source

A multilayer junction photoelectric conversion element with high efficiency, large area, and durability, comprising a bottom cell with a silicon layer, a top cell with a perovskite photoactive layer, and an intermediate transparent electrode between them. The element is manufactured by coating a perovskite precursor solution onto a mesoporous substrate, followed by deposition of the intermediate transparent electrode and the top cell's electrodes. The perovskite layer is formed through a reaction between the precursor solution and a metal halogen compound, resulting in a dense and pinhole-free film. The element's tandem structure enables high voltage output and improved efficiency compared to a single-cell silicon solar cell.

Source

The need for low-cost ultra-radiation hard PV technological solution is becoming extremely important with the ongoing space conquest adventure. In this article we focus on the novel feature of recently developed ultra-thin silicon solar cell - incorporate proprietary defect-engineered technology - to self-cure radiation damage, resulting in a minimal loss of efficiency over a cell operational lifetime.

Source

The high tolerance and stability of triple halide perovskite solar cells is demonstrated in practical space conditions at high irradiation levels. The solar cells were irradiated for a range of proton energies (75 keV, 300 keV, and 1 MeV) and fluences (up to 4 1014 p/cm2). The fluences of the energy proton irradiations were varied to induce the same amount of vacancies in the absorber layer due to non-ionizing nuclear energy loss (predominant at &amp;lt;300 keV) and electron ionization loss (predominant at &amp;gt;300 keV). While proton irradiation of the solar cells initially resulted in degradation of the photovoltaic parameters, self-healing was observed after two months where the performance of the devices was shown to return to their pristine operation levels. Their ability to recover upon radiation exposure supports the practical potential of perovskite solar cells for next-generation space missions.

Source

A photoelectric conversion element that prevents power generation capacity degradation in electrostatic and torsion tests, comprising a substrate, first electrode, hole blocking layer, photoelectric conversion layer, and second electrode. The photoelectric conversion layer includes an electron-transporting layer and a hole-transporting layer, with the electron-transporting layer positioned inside the first electrode and the hole-transporting layer positioned outside the second electrode in the edge region. The edge region height is less than the combined thickness of the first electrode, hole blocking layer, and electron-transporting layer.

Source

The need for low cost photovoltaic solutions is becoming more and more important with the ongoing NewSpace revolution. In this context, alternative solar cell technologies are under the spotlight, in particular perovskites which can reach high specific power. In this study, we investigate the electron and proton radiation hardness of multi-cation mixed halide perovskite cells CsxFA1-xPb(IyBr1-y)3. The proton irradiations demonstrate an excellent radiation hardness of the perovskite material but also highlight the degradation of the HTL layer. And the in-situ IV measurements under vacuum following the electron irradiations reveals a self-healing phenomena.

Source

The typical solar module has numerous drawbacks when used for extended periods of time in environmental conditions. Examples include cracked cells, interconnection failure, and decreasing output power. Also, it cannot be repaired; once a fault occurred in one cell, the module must be replaced. The proliferation of unused solar panels has become an issue due to the vast increase in the use of solar energy resources. While the current focus of solar panel research is to increase production energy efficiency, solar panel repairability and recycling of end of life (EOL) panels is rarely considered. The management of the EOL panels can efficiently save natural resources and save production costs. This study explores conventional encapsulation methods and introduces a novel approach to solar panel design that allows for easy access to individual components, facilitating repairs, upgrades, and modifications. The experimental study demonstrates that when using the novel encapsulation method, illumination current voltage properties are unaffected. Furthermore, a thermal analysis is conducted ... Read More

Source

One primary area of research the world over is regarding the consumption of energy without causing harm to our environment. In this paper, a review of current advancements in the sphere of combining photovoltaic devices with self-healing technology is presented. The durability of solar cells is a crucial aspect for long-term usage. The two different categories of systems investigated herewith are polycrystalline self-healing perovskites and lead-free self-healing perovskites. There have been in-depth discussions on current trends in the selection of organicinorganic lead halide perovskite materials for perovskite solar cells, as well as significant elements that affect the operations of solar cells. This article provides a thorough overview of current developments in the field of self-healing perovskites and presents a roadmap for creating lead-free self-healing perovskites that are more durable, stable, and effective.

Source

Perovskite solar cells have achieved rapid progress in the new-generation photovoltaic field, but the commercialization lags behind owing to the device stability issue under operational conditions. Ultimately, the instability issue is attributed to the soft lattice of ionic perovskite crystal. In brief, metal halide perovskite materials are susceptible to structural instability processes, including phase segregation, component loss, lattice distortion, and fatigue failure under harsh external stimuli such as high humidity, strong irradiation, wide thermal cycles, and large stress. Developing self-healing perovskites to further improve the unsatisfactory operational stability of their photoelectric devices under harsh stimuli has become a cutting-edge hotspot in this field. This self-healing behavior needs to be studied more comprehensively. Therefore, the self-healing behavior of the metal halide perovskites and photovoltaics is classified and summarized in this review. By discussing recent advances, underlying mechanisms, strategies, and existing challenges, this review provides per... Read More

Source